Ambleside

Ambleside – Our home town – extracts from our visitor information book

A great place to stay in the heart of the English lake district,

Walking from Elder Grove and turning left from the front door you are a quick walk to the first of the shops and restaurants and about 15 minutes walk to the far side of town, turning right will take you down to the Lake at Waterhead, again about a 15 minute walk.

There is a selection of shops in Ambleside firstly specializing in outdoor gear – if you are in need of new boots, waterproofs, fleece or anything in between you’re in the right place with every style and price range available. Gift shops and food shops are dotted around as well as 2 chemists; Bells on Lake Road and Boots on Compston road. Cafes and restaurants are also plentiful with a wide range of styles and prices, in the bar there is a folder with some menus to help you choose. There are 3 Banks (Barclay’s & Nat West) and
are all off market place in the center and all have cash machines. The post Office and Tourist information center are by the market cross on North road .

Market day is Wednesday (its only tiny) and is held on the car park in Kings street. This is also the main bus stop. The police station and Health center are on Rydal Road this is the road leaving Ambleside on the way to Keswick. The Cinema has five screens,
The main cinema is Zefferllis with a restaurant and wine bar, screens 3 & 4 are at Zeffs by the park, near the church entrance, and finally Fellini’s is in King Street with screen and restaurant.

Places to visit whilst you are in Ambleside:
The Old Bridge House built over stock beck, either side of the road here you will find waterwheels both in converted buildings, take a close look at the one in the Glass House Restaurant. Stockghyll falls a spectacular waterfall in woodland just a short walk away. The Ambleside Museum and Armitt Library, find out some facts about our roman past and those great literary names who have lived in the area. St Mary’s church completed in 1854 and renovated in 2010, the spire is an unusual feature for Lakeland churches; the back wall has a mural of Ambleside rushbearing an ancient festival which still carries on today. Rothay Park recreational ground and White Platt’s recreation area, try crazy golf, tennis or bowls. Hayes Garden World more than just a garden center, look out for open evenings at the Mountain Rescue Base. Galav Gate roman fort and Borrans Park at Waterhead where the steamers leave for trips on Windermere, Stagshaw woodland gardens at their best in spring are also at Waterhead.

Just out of Ambleside you can visit Wordworth’s homes of Rydal Mount and Dove Cottage, Rydal church and Dora’s daffodil field and Rydal hall estates and gardens. Towards Windermere call in at Brockhole visitors centre. this is a large house with gardens and woodland reaching to the lake shore, find out more about the Lake District, sit quietly in the garden or join in some of the many activities that are run from the visitors center, There is also a cafe and adventure playground. At Troutbeck the village stretches along the valley with a lovely walk from Ambleside through Skelghyll woods leading into Troutbeck Village, stop for refreshments at the Mortal Man or the Queens Head, or drive over kirkstone pass for amazing scenery and the twisty road down to Brotherswater and Ullswater Lake. Also in Troutbeck is Townend a 17th Century Farm once belonging to a wealthy farming family and now run by the National Trust.